All In A Name

As some of you know, back in August of this past year, I engaged in an online ordination program, with the express purpose of illustrating just how easy it is to claim the title "minister", "pastor", or "evangelist". Also, to show just how little actual knowledge a person must have of theology to claim these same titles. One does not have to go through any kind of schooling to claim ANY of these titles (though there are many that do.) Since then, I have been burdened to learn of many false teachings of some that would claim one or all of these. So what does the Bible say about being a minister?

If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 1 Timothy 4:6 NKJV

Let's define "minister" according to Scripture: Nave's Topical Bible defines a minister as "A Sacred Teacher". Scripture defines it with the following verses:

Ambassadors of Christ 2 Corinthian 5:20
Angels of the Church Revelation 1:20, 2:1
Apostles Luke 6:13 Revelation 18:20
Defenders of the Faith Philemon 1:7
Elders 1 Timothy 5:17 1 Peter 5:1
Evangelists Ephesians 4:11 2 Timothy 4:5
Fishers of Men Matthew 4:19 Philemon 1:1
And many more.

Do any of these definitions apply to you? If so, you are a minister. Does that mean that you should be teaching others? That depends on whether or not you will teach them what the Bible really says. Those of us that feel called to share Scripture are under a heavier burden of judgement. If we share falsely, we bring upon ourselves swift destruction.

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1 NKJV

Do you follow the teaching of Christ, and does your minister or paster follow them as well? If not, perhaps you should re-evaluate your reasons for following them. Remember, being a Christian isn't about storing up treasure here on Earth. It's about sharing who Jesus Christ was, and why He came to save us all. The most important leading you should receive is that of the Holy Spirit. All others, should be supporting what the Bible says, word for word. Not just what feels good to hear. If you aren't in communion with God on a daily basis, with prayer, and your own reading of Scripture, I urge you to BEWARE! You are in danger of being led astray. I pray you meditate on this today. Do you know what your bible says, and what it means? Are you a good Berean?

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:10-11 NKJV

There is no "MORE" to this post.

The Good News by Shalene Kearney

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 (NLT)

Now this will be a controversial post for some, but I press on nonetheless. Those of us that believe the Bible to be the only infallible Word of God, know which groups, that call themselves Christian, do this. I won't name them. That's not my place. However I will say this: Paul was preaching to the church in Galatia because they were beginning to preach that salvation through acceptance of Christ as savior, was not in itself enough. That doctrine and practices of the Jews must also be accomplished in order for salvation to occur. This is just not correct.


In fact, Paul goes on to say in Galations 1:8-10 (NLT) "Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News that the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant."

How is it then, that we can know whether or not what is being preached is truly the Good News that was given to us by Jesus? We must "test the spirits." We must read our bibles, study it, word by word, and line by line. Read other versions to be sure that what you're reading is consistent. Do whatever you must to know that you are not preaching a version of the Good News that is not true.

While reading the bible is not the only way to know that what you're preaching, or being preached, it is by far the best. Another way to know whether or not you are preaching the true Good News, is to ask yourself, is this "Good News" telling me that anything I can do will guarantee my salvation? If the answer is yes, then you are not speaking or hearing the true Good News.

Today, take the time to think about what it is you have learned from your bibles, and no other books or doctrine. Do you believe that your salvation is guaranteed solely because you have accepted Christ Jesus as your savior? If so, great! Hallelujah! If not, perhaps you should re-evaluate what it is that you think you can do to guarantee something that we all know not one of us can, or does, deserve. A gift is only a gift so long as nothing is required in return. Are you throwing Christ's "gift" back in his face?

--Lord, today I pray that my words may reach those that are hearing a "Good News" that is contrary to Yours, and that they might hear the truth in these words. I pray that they will seek out Your truth, and Your Good News. I pray this in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.